Improvement in car-couplings



` A. N. WUUDARD.

Car-Couplings.

No.15i0648, n Patented May 5,1874.

/z'lzesses. A [five/daz 'ALvIN N. woonnnn, or Lnrnna, Minuit-MN.

yIIVIPROVEliil ENT IN CAR-.COUPLLINGS.`

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 150,648, dated May 5, 1874; application filed March 20, 1874.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALVIN N. WooDARD, of Lapeer, in the county of Lapeer and State of Michigan, have invented certain Improvements in Gar-Couplings, of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to that class of v carcouplnigs which consist, in the main, of a pair of spring-jaws, which are automatically opened by the projecting end of the coupling-bar of an approaching car, and interlock with the head or flukes of said coupling-bar in closing upon its shank, each draw-head of each car being provided with a pair of spring-jaws, and also with a coupling-bar, so arranged that it may be swung either into a passive position or into an active one. My improvement consists of a certain novel mechanism for opening the jaws in the act of uncoupling a car; and also in the arrangement of the coupling-bar in relation to a'spring-latch designed to hold it in its passive position.

In the annexed drawings, Figure l illustrates two of my improved carcouplings coupled together, showing one in plan, and the other in horizontal, section. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of them.

The same letters of reference are used in both gures in the designation of identical parts.

The jaws A and B are pivoted on opposite sides of the draw-bar C, as at a and b. They extend a suitable distance beyond the extreme end of the draw-bar, and terminate in inwardly-turned hooks A and B. By reference to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the forward ends of the jaws are much wider than the remaining portions, thus providing them with. hooks sufficiently elongated vertically to admit ofthe reliable coupling of cars differing in height. The jaws are shown in their closed position, it being such that there is justsufficient space between their hooks to admit of the free vertical play of the shank of the coupling-bar E between them. They are thus closed by the action of strong springs F, placed between the draw-bar G and their rear ends, as best seen in the sectional portion of Fig. l. The

action of the springs is limited by the lixed clasp G, which consists of a stout bar fixed to the draw-bar, and terminating in downwardlyprojecting ends, hooking over the rear ends of the jaws.

The mechanism vfor opening the jaws consists of a rectangular yoke, H, fitted upon the rear ends of the jaws so as to engage with notches It cut in their upper and lower edges, and preferably a pair of levers, I, one pivoted to either end of the yoke. The length of the yoke is such that when placed over the jaws the latter will just touch its end bars. Both jaws are simultaneously operated by giving either one of the levers I an outward and downward turn, because, in acting with its short arm against one of the jaws, the lever also draws with equal force upon the yoke, and in moving it operates the other jaw to the same extent asthe first.

The levers ma be united by a connectingrod, or may remain independent, as shown; and in the latter case they can be folded down upon the draw-bar, to be out of the way when not in use. j

In addition to the function assigned to it, the yoke may perform that of the clasp G, and the latter be dispensed with; but I prefer to use both, so that the jaws canfbe held always in a central position when closed, notwithstanding the spring may be of uneven strength.

The coupling-bar E is pivoted with one end in-a recess in the end of the draw-bar C, in such a manner that it will be sustained in a horizontal position when thrown down for action. Its outer end is provided with ukes c c, adapted for interlocking with the hooks of the jaws. Vhen not in action it is swung up into a vertical position, and is caught and held in this position by a spring-latch, K, which is fastened behind it to the draw-bar, and curved and bent substantially in the manner shown, so that it may rst be pushed `aside by the coupling-bar, and then hook around the same. The coupling-bar will be made sufliciently long` to prevent the jaws of two cars approaching each other for the purpose of coupling them from coming together. The outer end of the coupling-bar is ling-bar E, and spring-latein K, substantially suitably rounded or beveled, to facilitate its as and for the purpose specified.

entrance between the jaws. In testimony whereof I have signed my name What I claim as my invention, land. desire to the foregoing speoieation in the presenceto secure by Letters Patent, is of two subscribing witnesses.

l. The combination of the jaws A and B, A. N. WOODARD. springs F, draw-barG, yoke H, and lever or Witnesses: levers I, substantially as specified. B. EDW. J. EILS,

2. The combination of the draw-bar C, coup- H. E. QUINN. 

